Soccer Signs Eight for 2009 Season

NORMAN, Okla. -- The University of Oklahoma and head soccer coach Nicole Nelson announced the signing of eight athletes to National Letters of Intent on Thursday, Feb. 5, for the 2009 season.

The coaching staff added talent at every position from some of the top club programs across the country, including four prep stars hailing from the state of Texas. The group also includes two athletes from California, one from Arizona, and Oklahoma native and current member of the U.S. National program, Dria Hampton.

“The most exciting thing about this group is that they are committed to the collective goal of our staff and team, which is building something special here at OU,” said Nelson. “This group knows how to be successful and wants to be a part of the winning tradition that University of Oklahoma represents.

“This is a class that will allow our program to compete at a higher level next season. They are talented athletes from some of the best club and high school soccer teams around the country. This class adds a necessary depth to our current team and will create a competitive environment moving forward.”

Hampton, who has been a part of the U.S. National program since age 14, is one of the most highly touted recruits in program history. Her last stint with the national team came during the U-18 camp held in Florida last May. She is currently ranked as one of the top 25 recruits in the country by several outlets, including No. 23 by ESPN.com and No. 14 by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

“Dria’s commitment is significant because she is one of the top players in the country and was recruited by many of the nation’s top programs. She chose to stay home and be part of something special here at OU and her signing will raise the recruiting bar for us.”

The eight signees will join an Oklahoma team that returns 10 letterwinners from the 2008 season that started at least 10 games, including leading-goal scorer and Whitney Palmer. The All-Big 12 forward’s eight goals last year was tied for the third best single-season total in school history and ranked sixth in the Big 12 Conference.

“Our primary focus in recruiting is to add quality individuals to our Sooner family and we have done that with this group,” added Nelson. “This group exudes a balance of being outstanding soccer players as well as outstanding young women.”

Individual profiles for each player are listed in alphabetical order below.

- Born in Tyler, Texas- Full name is Candace Michelle Campsey- Parents are Chan and Jennifer Campsey- Plans to major in nursing - Three-time All-East Texas honoree- Two-time all-district honoree- Team was district champs in 2006 and 2007- Member of the National Honor Society

Nelson on Campsey:“Candace is another athletic defender with the ability to strike a ball. She has great tenacity, work ethic, and we look forward to tapping into her potential as defender in this conference.”

- Born in Fort Worth, Texas- Parents are John and Debbie Devonshire- North Texas State Team (2006-2008)- Region III ODP Pool- Earned four letters playing soccer at Richland Senior High School- Recorded 21 saves in a single game- Served as team captain during 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons- Earned District 5-5A Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2007-2008- Named all-district freshman honors in 2005-06- Named team MVP in 2005-2006- Texas Independence Tournament MVP in 2007-08- Bluebell Invitational All-Tournament team in 2006-07

Nelson on Devonshire:“Kelsey is an exceptional goalkeeper who we are confident will excel as one of the top players at her position in the Big 12. She is exceptional at reading the game and has the ability to break up potential goal scoring opportunities in and around the 18-yard box. Kelsey possess’ the intangibles you love in a goalkeeper. She has confidence, fearlessness and a calming presence behind the back line.”

- Born in Anaheim, Calif.- Full name is Kali Victoria Fournier- Parents are Paul and Lori Fournier- Southern California ODP- Plans to major in criminal justice- Led club team, Slammers FC, to State (National) Cup Championship in 2007 and semi-finals in 2008- Slammers FC won Surf Cup Championship in 2006 and 2007- Three-year letterwinner at Mater Dei High School where she tallied 10 goals and 30 assists- Named defensive MVP in 2006 and 2007- Earned California Interscholastic Federation Southern selection player honors in 2007- Club team won state in 2006 and 2007- Played club soccer with current Sooner Tiana Dickson

Nelson on Fournier:“Kali also comes to us from the Slammers Soccer Club, so she has been in a very competitive soccer environment and part of a program that has a tradition of winning on the national scale. We expect Kali to play primarily as a defender but she has the potential to contribute as a midfielder as well.”

- Born in Tulsa, Okla. - Full name is Alexandria Nicole Kay Hampton- Parents are Jimmy Hampton and Shelley Patterson- Member of U.S. National team pool since age 14- Participated in U18 national camp last May in Florida- Region III Team member (2004-2006)- Has won eight state championships with club team- US Youth Soccer National Championship Runner-up 2004 and 2005.- Named All-American club player in 2007- Helped club team to regional championship twice- Played freshman year of high school at Putnam City North in 2006 … Posted 13 goals and 25 assists … named first team all-district and all-conference.- Member of the National Honor Society

Nelson on Hampton:“Dria is an extraordinary soccer player, she will add a dynamic aspect to our attack that is unique. Her experience playing at a high level, and her understanding of the game, will be keys in her ability to transition successfully to the collegiate game. As many in this signing class, Dria comes from a winning tradition with Edmond Soccer Club; adding players that know how to win only creates the expectation of a winning culture here at Oklahoma.”

- Born in Dallas, Texas - Full name is Jessica Rene Johnson- Parents are Ivan and Denessa Johnson- Plans to major in marketing- Earned three varsity letters at De Soto High School- Named high school team’s offensive MVP in 2005- Earned all-district honors in 2007- Also lettered in volleyball and was all-district in 2006- Member of the National Honor Society- Dad played football at University of Texas and mom played tennis for the Longhorns

Nelson on Johnson:“Jess is another great athlete that comes from an athletic background. She does a great job winning balls in the air, both defensively and on the attacking side of the ball. She has the ability to play both as a forward, or a back, which will increase her ability to contribute early in her career.”

- Born in Chandler, Ariz.- Full name is Leslie Irene Shurtleff- Parents are John and Theresa Shurtleff- Plans to major in nursing- Captained D’feeters club team for four years- Four-year letterwinner at Carroll Senior High School- Led team to Texas 5A state championship in 2008 … Named state tournament MVP- Earned first team all-district honors in 2007 and 2008 … Tallied seven goals and eight assists in 2008- Named to the freshman all-district team in 2006

Nelson on Shurtleff:“Leslie is a technical midfielder or defender that has great range with regard to her ball-striking ability. She is what we refer to as a soccer junkie, which is the similar mentality to what basketball coaches refer to as a gym rat.”

- Born in Vancouver, Canada- Parents are Brian and Valerie- Twin sister, Rebecca, will also attend OU as a member of the rowing team- Helped club team ’91 Sereno win back-to-back state championships in 2007 and 2008- Two-year letterwinner at Pinnacle High School - Led Pinnacle High School to Arizona state finals in 2005-2006- Named team MVP in 2006-2007 season -Two-time all-state honoree (2005-06, 2006-07)- Member of the National Honor Society

Nelson on Staff:“We are excited that we were able to add Olivia to this class fairly late in the process. She has flown under the radar a bit because she was out the majority of her junior year. Olivia is a strong, ball winning midfielder who has the potential to surprise a lot of people.”

- Also recruited to play softball at OU- Born in Whittier, Calif.- Parents are Carrie and Brian Turang- - 2007 Southern California ODP State team- Led club team, Slammers FC, to State (National) Cup Championship in 2007 and semi-finals in 2008- Slammers FC won Surf Cup Championship in 2006 and 2007- Lettered in soccer four years at Santiago High School and was three-time all-league honoree- Helped high school team to an undefeated season in 2007-2008- Team won California Interscholastic Federation championship in 2005-06 and 2007-08 … Team made semi-finals in 2005-2006 and 2007-2008- Named All-CIF in 2007-08- Three-sport star … Also played four years of volleyball and softball … All-league in softball in 2007 and 2008- Father drafted and played in Seattle Mariners organization from 1989-1995 … Toronto Blue Jays in 1996

Nelson on Turang:“Briana is an elite athlete that plays for one of the top soccer clubs in Southern California, so we feel that is a good equation for success. She comes from an athletic background and competing is in her blood. She will be a dual-sport athlete for OU competing with both the soccer and softball programs. I believe she has the potential to impact both programs in a significant manner. We expect Briana to play primarily as a defender.”

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